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Greg Lenz is a reformed Conservative. I've slowly evolved my position from Conservative Republican to it's current status of Libertarian Republican. I'm aware people hate the Libertarian Republican label, but ultimately I'm a pragmatist. Economic issues are my primary concern therefore I do support Republican candidates from time to time (Rand Paul 2016). As of late, I find myself flirting with Minarchism. The writings of William F. Buckley, Ayn Rand, and Thomas Jefferson have played the biggest role in shaping my beliefs.

If you are someone that believes the Russians hacked the Democrat National Committee and the email account of Hillary Clinton’s Campaign Manager, John Podesta, allow me to Redpill you:

Former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray

1) Ambassador Craig Murray, Former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan:

“I know who leaked them, I’ve met the person who leaked them, and they are certainly not Russian and it’s an insider. It’s a leak, not a hack; the two are different things.

The source of these emails and leaks has nothing to do with Russia at all. I discovered what the source was when I attended the Sam Adam’s whistleblower award in Washington.

The source of these emails comes from within official circles in Washington DC. You should look to Washington not to Moscow.

WikiLeaks has never published any material received from the Russian government or from any proxy of the Russian government. It’s simply a completely untrue claim designed to divert attention from the content of the material.”

2) James Clapper, Director of the National Security Agency testifying before Congress:

“As far as the WikiLeaks connection, the evidence there is not as strong and we don’t have gopod insight into the sequencing of the releases or when the data may have been provided. We don’t have as good insight into that.”

3) William Binney, Former NSA Technical Director of World Geopolitical & Military Analysis:

“The email disclosures in question are the result of a leak, not a hack. Here’s the difference between leaking and hacking:

Leak: When someone physically takes data out of an organization and gives it to some other person or organization, as Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning did.

Hack: When someone in a remote location electronically penetrates operating systems, firewalls or any other cyber-protection system and then extracts data.

All signs point to leaking, not hacking. If hacking were involved, the National Security Agency would know it – and know both sender and recipient.

In short, since leaking requires physically removing data – on a thumb drive, for example – the only way such data can be copied and removed, with no electronic trace of what has left the server, is via a physical storage device.”

5) “Why The Evidence Russia Hacked the DNC is NOT ENOUGH” by The Intercept, the news organization started by Glenn Greenwald who broke Edward’s Snowden NSA story:

“One can’t be reminded enough that all of this evidence comes from private companies with a direct financial interest in making the internet seem as scary as possible, just as Lysol depends on making you believe your kitchen is crawling with E. Coli.”

Do your part in combatting “Fake News” by sharing this with your friends…

Vice President Biden is one of the great men in American politics. He’s a man who avoided exploiting his position of power and influence for riches, in a way few would be able to resist.

He’s a man who actually liked the constituents he was elected to represent and nothing made him happier than getting to spend time with them.

He never lost his sense of conviction on the importance of public service being in the best interest of common men and women.

He is warm and jovial, oftentimes his demeanor was detrimental to the public ‘s perception about his level of seriousness. Make no mistake, Uncle Joe is as much of a statesman, as he is friendly and kind.

To be universally well liked and regarded after 30 years in politics is virtually impossible, especially within the most exclusive club in America: the United States Senate.

The elite of elite US legislators and global leaders, whom all refer to him simply as “Joe”, like and respect a man whose father was a used car salesman.

They universally respect the opinions of a man who graduated 506th out of 688 in his class at the University of Delaware, who finished 76 out of 85 students in his law school class at Syracuse, and who overcame a battle with stuttering which lasted into his early 20s by spending hours reciting poetry in the mirror.

His career began after several years unsuccessfully practicing law as a public defender and attorney. So unsuccessfully, he had to hold a second job as a property manager. Yet undeterred by a lack of experience or financial success, a 30 year old Joe Biden decided to run for Senate with no money and his sister as his campaign manager in 1972.

His campaign was comprised of handing out printed flyers listing his positions and talking to each and every voter who would lend him a sympathetic ear.

On November 7, 1972, Joe Biden shocked the political world by becoming the sixth youngest Senator in US history.

On Dec. 18, his wife Neilia, and 1 year old daughter Naomi, were killed in an automobile accident leaving the newly elected Biden to raise his two sons that survived the crash, Beau and Hunter.

Since Biden’s financial situation prevented him from moving his remaining family to DC, he took the Amtrak to his home in the suburbs of Wilmington, Delaware each night. A commute he continued making until becoming Vice President of the United States.

Vice President Biden spent a lifetime opposing war (Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq & Afghanistan), fighting for civil rights, a fight which dates all the way back to his high school days when he organized a sit in at a Wilmington theater, and crafting labor policies that offered stronger employee protections and short term financial/retraining assistance for middle class workers unprepared for the effects of globalization.

Joe feared no man or diplomatic situation. At the age of 31, as the lowest ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, he went on a trip to Moscow and was told to listen and not speak, in the private meeting with Russian officials. Unable to listen to another lie at the meeting, he pointed at a top Russian official and blurted,

“You can’t shit a shitter!”

Just as he feared no man, he never left behind an American willing to work. If someone wanted to work, Joe did everything he could to advocate for that person’s ability to provide for him or herself and their family.

Today was Vice President Biden’s final dayfulfilling his role presiding over the Senate as their Pro-Tempore. While his political days are likely over, his legacy will continue to live on.

A legacy of lessons much needed in our current political climate:

A person’s political views are never a reason for disliking that individual. Dislike the view, not the person.

Just because you hold a serious position, doesn’t mean you have to take yourself so seriously that you become self-deluded with importance. In the grand scheme of things, we’re all insignificant. A little self-depreciation goes a long way in building goodwill.

Even in a job which carries the burden of life and death consequences, never forget to enjoy life and fail to remember that your life spent on Earth is supposed to be fun.

Lastly, Joe’s most important lesson to us is that America is made up of friends, neighbors, and fellow countrymen first. Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians last. Our differences are far fewer than our commonalities, and it is only through the lens of politics we lose sight of that fact.

Vice President Biden, or Joe as you prefer to be called, your impact was vast and the lessons from your life never forgotten. You are an inspiration to many, and a friend to all that will have you.

Your career serves as proof that ambition and decency do not have to oppose one another.

However your life and legacy serve as the much needed reminder in an increasingly cynical America, that despite the coarsening tone of our discourse by leaders demonizing their opposition, there are well-intentioned, competent, and kind men and women on both sides of the political aisle.

If only by example, you committed a great act of public service. Your country thanks you.

If you want to understand the Italian referendum results, as well as the return of nationalism that appears to be a global phenomenon, all you need to know is that the governed have decided to stop giving a free pass to the failed ideas of those that govern.

People are tribal. That’s at the core of all of this.

People have grown tired of being told that beliefs they can’t articulate, but inherently know to be true, are stupid relics of days past: borders, religion, cultural differences, an instinctual cautiousness toward any type of difference, etc…

In Italy, a national referendum on constitutional reform that removed power from the central government and reassigned it to more local levels, is set to pass. Which will cause their Prime Minister to resign.

The hysteria over global financial ramifications are even less likely than the still yet to appear negative consequences from the Brexit.

The whole point of the EU was to keep France and Germany from ever going to war again. Since that isn’t a worry, then fallout from this is nil.

The truth is the EU was f*cked from the get go. It could only work in prosperous times.

They never created a mechanism to account for trade imbalances. By using a single currency, and not allowing fluid labor mobility between participants, the debt burdened underperformers could never rise up.

If they’d allowed all EU citizens the ability to move and get job’s in countries where opportunity existed, it would have been fine. But there wasn’t enough trust between countries.

The father of the European Union, Robert Mundell, warned about it from the start. The media outrage is little more than prissy elites that hate being held accountable for unrealistic ideas.

Liberals/progressives, libertarians too, have a profound disregard for history and it’s lessons. When an institution or custom no longer a seems relevant and stands in the way of their goals, they belittle it as absurd before stopping to consider why the best minds of the past created it and why.

Conservatism, and it’s focus and appreciation of history, as well as its aversion to rapid change, aren’t arbitrary principles plucked from the sky.

Its because they accept that humans don’t change much, and are only willing to do so in prosperous times. Introduce hard times and fear drives a return to a tribal nature where they put the best interests of themselves and those around them first.

The world has decided the smart people are delusional social planners. Their dreams of perfecting society are crumbling by the day.

We are living through a global shift away from untested academic sociological and economic theories, and a return to plain spoken and practical, yet anecdotal, common sense by the “uneducated masses”.

There’s a natural ebb and flow to this, and it’s rare to get to witness these shifts. We are a part of history and it’s utterly fascinating to experience…

Why is it such a big deal that President-elect Trump took a congratulatory phone call from the President of Taiwan?

Since 1978, the U.S. has followed a single China policy where Taiwan, rather than being formally recognized as a sovereign country, is considered a rogue Chinese province.

I think what Trump’s doing by taking the congratulatory call from Taiwan’s President and inviting President Duerte of the Philippines to the White House.

There are basically 3 world alliances:

US-Europe-Israel-Japan-India-Australia-Balkans

China-Russia-Shias-Pakistan-North Korea-North African countries

Anti-democratic Sunni regimes that finance terrorism like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Sunni regimes that partner with non-Islamists intermittently and collaborate with an alliance including Russia, Syria, North Korea, China, Iran, and rogue communist Latin American dictators because they view the US led alliance as a common enemy.

The rise of political Islam, and terrorism being used against Russian proxies, presents a rare opportunity for US-Russian collaboration. Russia only cares about selling oil and natural gas, growing trade, and protecting Iran and Syria from regime change so their near monopoly on selling oil and natural gas to Europe remains intact.

China, in the short run, has forged an energy alliance with Russia in order to continue fueling its growth in order to attempt its plan of rebuilding the Silk Road by controlling trade routes. Most importantly, in the South China Sea and Africa. In the long run, China won’t be dependent on Russian oil, and will do the same thing they’ve done to the U.S. through a trade policy of taxing imports and subsidizing key industries that compete with Russian competitors in order to artificially lower the cost in a global marketplace.

The China-Russian alliance appears to be a short one in historical terms because for quite some time, the Chinese have been investing in oil rich African countries. Russian President Vladmir Putin, despite his authoritarian flaws, is very smart and an adept strategic planner. It would be highly unlikely he is not aware of the dwindling leverage he has in trade relations with China.

Trump, by accepting the call of the Taiwan President, put a thumb in the eye to the Chinese and made a strategic move. One that can be ambiguously perceived as either naive, or a sign that he gravely serious on forcing China to renegotiate a trade agreement with the U.S.

However, inviting President Duerte to the White House is less ambiguous. The Philippines is crucial to China’s long term plans of controlling sea trade, and lucky for the United States, they are battling radical Islam and rampant drug issues in their country. The cultural fallout of radical Islam and drug use related crime created the perfect national climate for a strongman like Duerte to win.

President Duerte won’t be anyone’s puppet, he’s too proud. An intensely nationalistic leader like Duerte will not take kindly to an influx of Chinese corporations (really an extension of the Communist Party) coming in demanding concessions through the political process.

In addition, the looming threat of a war between Japan and China over the South China sea, would be less likely in the event the U.S. recognized Taiwan. The United States already sells billions in arms to Taiwan and should the Philippines become a new Japanese ally against China, the fear of war would be dramatically reduced because Japan would no longer be the last domino standing in the way of China’s monopoly on regional sea trade routes.

If the U.S. were able to peel away Russia and the Philippines from their current Chinese alliance, the world is going to look awfully lonely to the Communist Party. However, China is intensely proud country and culture, allowing them to save face is of the utmost importance in all diplomatic agreements. Failing to allow them to avoid shame will be taken as all the provocation necessary to justify a war. It is unlikely Trump is unaware of just how seriously the Chinese emphasize respect. I suspect President Trump would not have major contentions with China’s plan of recreating the Silk Road, so long as its not a mercantilist exploitation scheme in the long run, in order to create toll booths on global sea trade.

So why was the phone call such a big deal again?

I believe President-elect Trump is going to use the opportunity to partner with Russia, Iran, and the Philippines in defeating radical Islam, and as a result the Sunni regimes who finance terrorism, as leverage to force China to the negotiation table on trade. Trump’s primary goal in creating an equal, yet mutually beneficial, global trade environment that puts in place long term protections against China’s ability to exploit their long term sea trade plans.

If Trump can open up US trade to China by ending their tariff on US imports, stop their subsidization of labor intensive manufacturing (like steel), prevent their currency manipulation (which makes their goods less expensive in comparison to ours), and force China to respect intellectual property rights of US made goods, then he would go down as the greatest jobs creating US President in history.

How does this all end?

The United States acts as the arbitrator in finalizing an agreement where control over the South China Sea is conceded to China, the US agrees to remain committed to a single China policy (no formal recognition of Taiwan), and the US, Europe, and Japan enter into a new free and fair trade agreement with China and Russia.

This may all be wrong, but accepting the call of Taiwan’s President could not have been an oversight. It is impossibly such a call would be taken without warning given the folks he has around him right now.

In fact, I would imagine Trump and his advisers held a meeting where, whomever was tasked with reporting on his daily activities, was either coached to gloss over the phone call from Taiwan’s President, and then feign shock that it was such an issue, or he and his advisers kept that individual in the dark completely, so their reaction to the press’ shock would not appear rehearsed.

In the history of the United States, there has never been a President whose perceived lack of preparedness was as great as Trump’s. Overwhelmingly, his critics has considered the appearance of ignorance and naivete detrimental to his ability in being a successful President.

Given his track record of proving critics wrong, it is time everyone begin considering the possibility that a perception, or reality, of being over his head while appearing woefully naive, is a hell of an excuse to have in his back pocket. Trump’s “ignorance”, and the plausible deniability created by it, may very well end up being his greatest asset.

As the days count down to November 8, the day we are tasked with casting our votes to decide who will be the next Governor of Indiana, I’d be remiss in not reminding you about the importance of your decision. We are a proud state.

Proud not in the traditional sense of boasting about how great our state is in comparison to those that surround us, but proud of the earned reputation of toleration, humbleness, and hospitality toward visitors.

You see, I’ve always believed that being a Hoosier carried with it a weight of responsibility. As a Hoosier, it is my responsibility to carry the torch of hospitality when welcoming guests to our state.

It is my responsibility to remain humble when speaking of our states’ incredible ability to reinvent itself in the face of devastating economic adversity forcing our transition from an industrial economy, to an information economy built upon the hard sciences and managing supply chains.

It is my responsibility to tolerate the views of others who hold beliefs differing from my own. As long as those differing beliefs neither inhibit my ability to earn a living nor my right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, it is my responsibility to tolerate differing beliefs.

I must remain hospitable toward those who hold them, and remain humble in knowing that my beliefs are not suitable to be forced upon another.

These are the shared ideals I have always believed that make one a Hoosier. That being said, our common ideals do not make us superior, just different. Hoosiers are different, and our response to a rapidly changing world serves as confirmation of our unique character.

Many of our neighboring states resisted change in the face of adversity. Rather than adapt to an unavoidable economic reality, they instead chose to cling to the final piece of the industrial economic pie while anxiously awaiting it’s resurgence. There’s nothing wrong with such a decision, but it is simply not the Hoosier way.

The Hoosier way is to accept the reality of unavoidable change and adapt to the circumstances, so we are setup to thrive far into the future. Which is why the decision you make on election day is of the upmost importance.

There are three choices on your ballot for Governor: Republican Eric Holcomb, Democrat John Gregg, and Libertarian Rex Bell.

Having had the luxury of getting to spend some time with each of the men vying to be our next Governor, I can say they are all honest competent men with differing views about the most effective way to lead our state into the future.

Mr. Holcomb is not a politician, which is probably why he has such low name recognition among voters and why he trails Mr. Gregg in the polls despite being the Republican nominee in an overwhelmingly Republican state. He’s spent a lifetime behind the scenes in Republican politics and is in every way a technician, rather than politician. That isn’t a bad thing for Hoosier voters, but what is bad, is the fact that should be win, he’d be beholden to his party rather than Hoosier voters since he’d owe his election to his party.

Anyone who remembers Governor Pence’s RFRA debacle will see why being indebted to your party is a terrible situation, one that invites a black eye on our reputation of hospitality and toleration.

Mr. Gregg is a politician’s politician. He is not a bad man, just someone whose spent a lifetime perfecting a folksy and relatable demeanor for the purposes of winning elections and obtaining power. His track record as Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives under Governor Evan Bayh was poor when judged by any benchmark of fiscal management or social and civil equality for homosexuals and minorities.

He claims to have evolved his positions on such issues, but the problem with trusting a polician’s politician, is that he will go wherever the wind blows. A Gregg administration would not represent leadership into the future, but revisiting the failures from his and our past.

Lastly, that brings me to the Libertarian candidate Rex Bell. I must admit that my opinions on Rex are partial since I’m lucky enough to be able to call him a friend. However, friend or not, there are certain things about Rex and his beliefs that are impermeable to partiality.

Rex Bell is a man of a different era. He’s a throwback to a time when terms like honor, civic duty, and selflessness were held up as aspirational virtues in our society, rather than comedic punchlines of the politically cynical and apathetic.

In an era of John Stewart and Bill Maher, Rex Bell is a Walter Kronkite or Edward R. Murrow. An honorable man pursuing higher office out of a sense of duty, rather than desire for personal gain.

In my opinion, he represents a modern day version of Plato’s philosopher-king, if only due to the fact he had little desire to run for governor, yet agreed to only after many others asked him to heed their call.

Rex Bell doesn’t seek power or control over your life, he simply wishes to protect your right to live your life in anyway you so choose, so long as it does not prevent or inhibit another Hoosier ‘s ability to do the same.

A Bell administration would be one where government would not be used as a tool to force policies on communities, but one where communities would be given the authority and support to address the issues they face on a daily basis.

Governor Bell would fulfill his constitutionally granted powers right up to the letter of the law, but no further. Hoosiers would never have to worry about a political party or special interest group coming between their rights under the law and the application of justice they would receive. Governor Bell, in every way, would seek to uphold and enforce blind justice for every Hoosier while limiting the government’s ability to intrude into Hoosier wallets, bedrooms, classrooms, and communities.

Governor Bell would limit government so that rather than being in the way of a rapidly changing economic and social reality, it would be readily adaptable to change. An effective government rather than an encumbersome one. A vote for Mr. Holcomb or Mr. Gregg and their respective parties, is a vote for the tried and tired policies of the past. A vote for Rex Bell is a vote for new solutions to our yet to be solved problems.

When you walk into the polls on November 8, remember that the primary difference between Libertarian Rex Bell and his opponents, is that they are pursuing office because they believe they know what is best for Hoosiers, while Rex readily admits he does not and nor will he allow government to tell you it does.

Rex may or may not win on election day, but if he does not, he’ll thank all his supporters for their efforts, drive right back to Hagerstown in his pick up truck, kiss his wife Susan (the Hagerstown Town Judge) goodnight, and get a good night’s sleep so that in the morning he can put on his boots and go right back to running Bell Contracting and continuing to fight for the liberty of his fellow Hoosiers.

That is who Rex Bell is, and that is what he does. He’s hospitable toward all that he meets, kindly tolerates all whom oppose him, and humbly goes on about his business while continuing to champion the liberties of each and every one of his Hoosier neighbors.

Libertarian candidate for Governor, Rex Bell, is a Hoosier through and through. He personifies that which is best in all of us and that, is why he is the right choice on election day.

Tonight a great many of you probably watched the third and final debate in the 2016 Presidential election between Donald J. Trump and Hillary Clinton. While some of you may have watched with a genuine interest in using the debate as a basis for which candidate to cast a vote in support of on election day, a vast majority of you tuned in for the purposes of trying to decide whether either of them are worthy of the time required to drive to the polling center and wait in line on election day.

Perhaps even more depressing is the fact an even smaller number of you undoubtedly watched with the intent of deciding who to vote against on November 8. Such is the state of the final chapter in American politics.

I say final chapter because one would certainly hope an election between tonight’s debate participants represents the last time my fellow countrymen are willing to swallow such an unpalatable choice in deciding our nation’s future. You see, America isn’t easy.

A federal democratic republic with the ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic diversity of ours is incredibly rare and perhaps beyond historical comparison. In more ways than one, we are an exception to the course of human history. American exceptionalism is an oft repeated, yet frequently misunderstood phrase in America politics.

An exception is a rare deviation from the rule. The rule in question that America deviates from, is the rule that man is unfit to rule his or herself. The rule of nations in human history has been the belief that laws, and their enforcement, are best entrusted to a governing class of elites claiming to know best.

This class of individuals, out of a well intended, yet perversely distorted sense of civic duty and public service, take it upon themselves to rule over the ignorant masses. If there were any question as to whether or not Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump represent the governing class who believe you and I are a part of the ignorant masses they feel compelled to rule over, look at their own words:

“I alone can fix it”-Donald J. Trump

“Now some of those folks, they are irredeemable, but thankfully they are not America.”-Hillary Clinton

Trump sees America and its citizens as something he, and he alone, can fix on our behalf. He remembers when America was great, and lucky for us, he possesses the ability to take us back there.

Hillary has such little respect for the Americans who, for no other reason than their preference for her opponent, are irredeemable. As if that were not enough of a disqualification, she feels entitled to decide which of us are and are not a part of America. Again, we should be so lucky she is here to save us from our deplorable neighbors…

Hillary, when asked why she wasn’t leading the polls by 50 points, was utterly baffled and in admitting so, exposed just how certain she is that she knows best for each one of us. Make no mistake, she could be leading by 50 points if she had only taken the time to listen to President Obama’s speech at her nominating convention when he said,

“We (Americans) don’t look to be ruled”

In my opinion those words, more so than any other spoken during this election, perfectly encapsulate what it means to be an American.

The desire to rule ourselves is the sentiment our 240 year old country was birthed in. When the brave American revolutionaries decided the right to rule themselves was a fight worthy of death, they forever imprinted self-rule upon the soul of each American born thereafter.

Which brings me back to the choice each of us face on November 8. I am a Libertarian and I say that without apology or a desire to influence your vote for President. Two term New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is my party’s nominee and I will not lie to you about his chance of winning, he will not. I may disagree with how he presents libertarianism, his campaign’s strategy, and his message to an American electorate desperately searching for an alternative to Trump and Hillary, but I will tell you this, he is as honest and as accomplished of an individual as you will ever meet.

He is completely capable of handling the office of the President, and should you choose to support him with your vote, you will never have to worry that your vote was wasted or that somehow your refusal to vote against the two major party candidates allowed the other side to win.

A vote for Gary Johnson is a vote for the qualified executive with a track record of verifiable success and a governing philosophy that most closely resembles the shared American desire of the right to rule ourselves. In every sense, Gary Johnson is a great American and patriot. If only due to his unflinching belief that you are best suited to decide how to live your life, so long as it does not harm or prevent my right to live mine.

Even though your vote may not propel Gary Johnson to the Presidency, it will be a warning shot to those who believe they know best. That shot will be the necessary reminder that their days are numbered and America’s time for choosing is here. We do not look to be ruled, we are the rulers.

No longer will we tolerate the lesser of two evils and the tired policies they peddle which have lead us to this time for choosing. This election has lacked substance and vision. Trump’s vision is backwards and Hillary’s is a repeat of the last 8 years.

8 years of gridlock and kicking the can down the road to the next person. Part of what makes America so incredible is its ability to handle dire circumstances like economic depression and the rise evil ideologies like Hitler’s national socialism. We adapt and defeat, we do not ignore and avoid. We are a county of action that creates the future rather than accepting it.

If you want to see what Hillary’s vision is, look at Japan. Economic stagnation, debt, and the creeping realization in the mind of each citizen that their best days are behind them. Each of you reading that should be gagging at the thought of such a bleak future because as an American, the second most universally shared belief behind the right to rule ourselves, is the belief the future is ours for the making and while yet to be written, it is shining off in the horizon as we will it into creation.

My name is on no ballot, nor should it be. But in the absence of a compelling vision for our shared future by any candidate in this election, here is the one I believe each of us deserve.

When I look at America I see a people so thirsty for leadership, they’ll drink the sand from the mirage of Making America Great Again.

I see a people so tired of gridlock and unfulfilled promises, they’ve grown apathetic of their right to vote.

I see a people desperate for new answers to old problems, they are finally willing to support a third party candidate just enough that he nearly made the Presidential debates. THAT is why I’m a Libertarian and you should vote for one on election day. Your growing support for new answers gives me great hope that in our time for choosing, the choice will be ours and not the powers that be in the Democratic and Republican parties.

Libertarianism is an idea whose time has come and one most closely resembling our shared belief in the right to rule ourselves.

We can end the drug war and the devastating effect it has had on urban communities. We can heal the broken bond between citizens and law enforcement officers.

We can stop funding endless middle eastern wars where you and I enable the killing of innocent women and children whose only crime was being born into a Hellish situation.

We can stop propping up genocidal dictators with foreign aid who are favorable to our interests and start spending that money on our children here.

Would you rather kill an innocent Syrian 8 year old or put an iPad in your child’s hand with the most advanced educational software available?

Will we allow the slow descent into economic decline and adjust our expectations downward or will we reinvigorate our economy and grow ourselves out of the slavery of our debt burden?

Will we accept our fate or invent the one within our grasp?

This is America’s time for choosing. It is time to choose whether you wish to be ruled or rule yourself.

It is time to choose whether or not the lives of the brave men and women who came before us and offered the choice of self-rule, in the face of certain treasonous death, will be honored with your vote on election day.

Some reading this may not be ready to “switch sides” and vote for Gary Johnson, even though they have little stomach for Trump or Hillary.

That is okay. You may never become a Libertarian and that is fine as well.

But when you step in that election booth and hold your nose, or you complain to friends about having to decide between the two major party candidates, know that there are brave individuals out there still fighting for our foundational and universally shared belief that every American voter has the right to live their life in the manner they so choose.

I assure you, we will not quit regardless of your willingness to be ruled by Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. We are patriots.

We are THE great Americans.

We are the torch bearers of America’s founding ideals and because of that, will continue to uphold your right to life, liberty, and our shared pursuit of happiness.

We are the ones who have decided you are worth it, regardless of your willingness to say the same. No matter how dark the day, nor how insurmountable the opponent, we would rather die standing up, than live on our knees. Why?

THAT belief, is what America was founded upon and that is why at America’s time for choosing, we will choose Libertarian.

A choice, an idea, and a moment in our nation’s history whose time have come.

The 2016 Presidential Election, regardless of your disdain for Donald. J. Trump or Hillary Clinton, is a rare glimpse of unfettered access into the mind of the American voter.

When measured in the aggregate, the mind of the American voter becomes a complex and diverse representation of the collective American psyche. In considering that, the looming question one fears to ask after this front row seat inside the mind of American society is:

Are the leaders of a society a reflection of itself?

As an American voter, could such a mortifying discovery possibly be true?

While the question of whether or not a society’s leaders are a reflection of it, is critically important to understand, discerning whether or not such a question is true is of little importance. There are simply too many factors involved in order to accurately decide whether the nominees of the two major parties in the United States are a collective reflection of the voters they seek to lead.

However, what is true, and most uncomfortable to acknowledge, is the fact that their nominations are an accurate commentary on the current state of American culture and the growth of narcissism in society.

A reality television star as the Presidential nominee of a major US political party whose career and wealth were built upon a willingness to indiscriminately self-promote both successes and calamitous failure to a media he admittedly sought to manipulate for the intention of turning his last name into a luxury lifestyle brand, represents the stark realization that narcissism in American culture has arrived and it may be here to stay.

Donald J. Trump as the nominee of the Republican Party represents a sound metric for psychologists, sociologists and political scientists awaiting the effect on society where every millennial school child was told they too could become President. Is it a coincidence that childhood Presidential aspirations when combined with adolescent years where the widespread prevalence of internet access and social networks allowing the ability to curate a digital version of ideal self to all onlookers, lead to the rampant growth of narcissism in American culture?

When one considers it from that perspective, it seems rather inevitable Donald J. Trump would become the nominee of a major United States political party.

What is narcissism?

“Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you’re not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve. Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.” (Mayo Clinic)

What are the traits of narcissism?

“If you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. You often monopolize conversations. You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior. You may feel a sense of entitlement — and when you don’t receive special treatment, you may become impatient or angry. You may insist on having “the best” of everything — for instance, the best car, athletic club or medical care.

At the same time, you have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism. You may have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation. To feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make yourself appear superior. Or you may feel depressed and moody because you fall short of perfection.

Many experts use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, to diagnose mental conditions. This manual is also used by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.

DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder include these features:

Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it

Exaggerating your achievements and talents

Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate

Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people

Requiring constant admiration

Having a sense of entitlement

Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations

Taking advantage of others to get what you want

Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others

Being envious of others and believing others envy you

Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner

Although some features of narcissistic personality disorder may seem like having confidence, it’s not the same. Narcissistic personality disorder crosses the border of healthy confidence into thinking so highly of yourself that you put yourself on a pedestal and value yourself more than you value others.

When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may not want to think that anything could be wrong — doing so wouldn’t fit with your self-image of power and perfection. People with narcissistic personality disorder are most likely to seek treatment when they develop symptoms of depression — often because of perceived criticisms or rejections.” (Mayo Clinic)

The Continuum of Narcissism

Undoubtedly, some may be reading this and begin to question if they are a narcissist. Do not worry, it is entirely healthy to feel the need for external validation. Acceptance and appreciation by others is a natural and necessary element of psychological development, so just because you may have read through the list of traits above and identified with several or many, it is highly unlikely you have Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

If you want to be sure, just try and remember a time when you felt bad for someone in your personal life while they were going through a difficult situation or period of time. The ability to empathize with others is what differentiates between someone with narcissistic traits and a personality disorder. As long as you can “feel” another person’s “feels” you are completely normal and have nothing to worry about.

How Does Social Media Perpetuate Narcissism?

Social Media, like any other form of communication, is neither a good or bad thing for society as a whole. As with all tools, it is their use which determines the beneficial or detrimental effect. Admiration, praise, recognition, and appreciation have always been a part of the human experience. However, in pre-social media society, external validation was neither immediately accessible nor quantifiable through the measuring of likes, shares, or praise via a comment or status update of another user.

In a world without social media, praise was given on a personal basis through the written or spoken word, or in a public setting through awards, banquets, or publicly available sources of media communication (newspapers, television, or radio).

In the world as it exists today, public recognition and external validation are readily available at all times. The only deterrent in today’s society being Facebook’s upload speed on a user’s latest selfie.

An abundance of supply for those seeking external validation creates a near insatiable demand for those whose self-worth is dependent upon it. When a readily available supply of validation is combined with society’s voyeuristic tendencies, the collective effect results in an inevitable collective change in what a society deems worthy of praise.

In a world where external validation is limited to those who control the means of communication, recognition is limited to the few whose achievements are deemed worthy due to their uniqueness. In a pre-social media world, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin drew the highest ratings on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. In a post-social media world, Kim Kardashian and Donald J. Trump command the highest ratings.

Did social media cause this societal shift in taste? No, it simply accelerated the shift in a rapid fashion.

Social media’s ability to provide instantaneous external validation provided the perfect tool for altering our society’s preferences in the marketplace for attention. Previously, we rewarded those who had achieved or accomplished a specific feat in their given field.

Today, we reward an individual’s ability to command the attention of others with our attention. Society at some point decided it preferred fame over field expertise and breakthrough. In doing so, it unknowingly created a self-perpetuating incentive/reward system where external validation is both the behavior and the reward.

What does such a stark realization mean for the future of society and what does this have to do with libertarianism and its growth?

The real danger of an increasingly narcissistic culture is the change in psychological composition of our society. When narcissists outnumber the empathetic, those who have an ability to bear the pain of others, and are willing sacrifice their own short-term self-interest in order to assist those they want to help, will simply reach a breaking point. At that breaking point the empathetic will cease helping in the absence of appreciation and validation

A society devoid of empathy and appreciation, is one entirely dependent on government. In the absence of charity, government administered entitlements will continue. When those in need become a mental abstraction, rather than a neighbor experiencing rough times, cynicism and resentment will result. The effects due to a lack of appreciation and validation for empathetic behavior, is already evident in our society.

Schadenfreude is the enjoyment of watching others experience pain. When a society begins enjoying the misery of others, its ability to deliver justice is compromised. Justice and revenge are inextricably linked in the mind of an individual. What makes that dangerous is the fact that we live in a democratic society where access to government, and its relatively unchecked power, are accessible to the wishes of the majority

As things stand right now, our society has yet to become vindictive or vengeful, but the tide is shifting in that direction. One merely needs to observe how revenge is replacing justice in the media. Media outlets endlessly search to expose false idols, regardless of whether or not revenge is warranted. Court rooms are being replaced with sensationalized 24 hour news cycles without a right to trial before a jury of peers.

When one stops to consider the amplifying effect herd behavior and a mob mentality have on otherwise rational individuals, it is disturbingly easy to imagine a situation where an angry mob of vengeful voters become the majority in control of administering a system of revenge, rather than justice. Justice requires empathy, where as revenge often lacks rationality or reason.

In such a disaster scenario, a government with increasingly unchecked power in virtually every area of an individual’s personal life becomes a fatal threat to any and all standing in opposition to a scorned majority thirsting for revenge and satiated by the pain of others.

The necessity of empathy during the process of determining and administering justice serves as the foundation of a free society. In a society where revenge replaces justice, a systemic collapse in institutional trust begins. It is in that exact moment that civil unrest starts. Chaos from unrest results in a society in search of security delivered by mandatory order. Individual freedoms are tossed to the wayside.

Will the selfie cause the collapse of a free society? No.

Societal values do not change overnight, and while the prevalence of narcissism is rising, those with the capacity to empathize for others still outnumber those who cannot. Will that always be the case?

One would certainly hope so, but the nomination of Donald Trump as the Republican nominee should serve as an alarming wake up call about the current state of American society and what it values.

Empathy is the foundation of humanity. Every time you reward a new selfie with an unearned like or public compliment, you are reinforcing a societal belief that vanity is preferable to substantive achievement.

You are reinforcing the idea that an individual’s ability to command attention is more valuable than their ability to empathize. As the ability to empathize becomes less and less desirable, narcissism will be the result. The result being a society of individuals with a grandiose sense of self and corresponding entitlement.

Should that collective sense of entitlement take hold, so too will an expectation of special treatment where rules and justice need not be applied. The narcissist cannot be expected to be held accountable to the rules. Rules are for the average, not the special.

Narcissism is growing in our society and we are witnessing its corrosive effect. For Libertarians, the spread of narcissism results in a world of ever growing unrighted wrongs. A world of fewer acts of compassion and kindness for those in need. A world where in the absence of empathy, the cold and impersonal hand of government will be turned to in pleas for help.

Empathy is to liberty, as narcissism is to government. The more it is demonstrated, the more it grows. The only thing standing in the way of narcissism’s accelerating appearance in society, is our society’s willingness to empathize with one another and reward it’s demonstration with the recognition it so rightly deserves.

Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, for Libertarians and society alike, our times demand, such, a state of mind.

“If you don’t vote that’s a vote for Trump. If you vote for a 3rd party candidate that’s a vote for Trump…”

When historians, political scientists, and sociologists undertake their research into the 2016 Presidential election, September 28, 2016 will signify the beginning of a new era in American Politics. Academics will identify that day as the day the two-party system, dominated by Republicans and Democrats, for the first time felt threatened by the previously amusing third-party little guys…

The Libertarian Party and their Presidential candidate former two-term New Mexico, Governor Gary Johnson, as well as Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein, have crossed the threshold from benign threats, to political players with electoral currency. President Obama, in advising Americans against casting a vote for third-party candidates, unintentionally revealed the desperate hand of the two major parties. While so many third-party supporters justifiably rejoiced upon hearing the President’s words, any celebration should be short lived.

The dilemma with going from occasional nuisance to a legitimate threat by appealing to voters looking for a candidate either fiscally conservative or who is a committed environmentalist with a message of anti-corruption, is obstructing Hillary Clinton from her rightful claim to the divine right of kings.

It is one thing to steal votes from the Republican candidate, it is quite another to obstruct the anointment of her majesty. Such an outcome cannot be allowed, and therefore the media have turned from cordial yet dismissive inquisitors probing the beliefs of third party candidates, into attack dogs salivating at the opportunity to expose any threat as an unqualified radical with dangerous ideas.

Just as September 28, 2016 represents the beginning of a new era in American politics, it also signified the end of questions to Libertarian candidates about prostitution and marijuana…

Gone are the days when the press found Ron Paul to be a lovable, cranky political novelty. It was much easier for the press to laugh along with the audience when Paul would wave his hands in the air and lecture them about the crippling economic effects of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies. The press and two major parties used to laugh along without anxiety during Paul’s claims of libertarianism’s growth while emphatically declaring “It’s Happening!”

Yet, now that it actually is…their laughs fall silent.

The stakes have been raised and policy based “gotcha” questions are the new normal.

Third-party candidates are not ready for this type of media exposure and vetting. Gary Johnson’s “What is Aleppo?” moment, his inability to name a single potential cabinet member on 60 Minutes, and his failure to name a foreign leader he respects when asked by Chris Matthews, are evidence of the antagonistic environment awaiting third-party candidates.

As with all things, that is both good and bad. It is good in that it signifies the media is taking third-party candidates serious enough to apply the same (if not unfairly higher) vetting process.

It is bad in that every gaffe, incorrect pronunciation, or brain fart will be played on an endless loop in the media in order to brand that individual as a cheap parlor trick with some interesting ideas, yet wholly unqualified for the office of the Presidency.

Whether one loves such treatment, hates it, or complains about it, all that is left to do is embrace it.

All the calls for fair treatment will fall on deaf media ears. The instinct of those who support third-party candidates will be to protect their candidate by pointing out the deficiencies of candidates from the two-major parties. That is a losing strategy, and in time, one that will become monotonous and grating to the ears of voters who are disgusted with politics as usual.

These disgruntled voters want a hopeful dream filled with new answers. They want to hear inspirational rhetoric grounded in concrete plans promising a brighter future just beyond the horizon.

Third-party supporters must accept these higher standards. Failing to accept them will result in the evaporation of everything they have sacrificed and worked for through the years. Like it or not, the Office of the Presidency and its vetting process, is determined by a media class whose questions and concerns are poorly suited to a philosophical framework like libertarianism. Libertarians believe in non-intervention, so naturally foreign policy questions would be of less relevance to Governor Johnson than questions related to civil liberty issues. However, the majority of voters will never listen long enough to grasp such a nuance.

Johnson has to accept that as Commander-in-Chief, he will have to have an easy to understand foreign policy framework, supported by experts, and crafted through media class approved advisers. He must tell voters his foreign policy plan is to stop offering American soldiers up to terrorists as target practice. He will bring the troops home, he will end our financially exhausting forays into parts of the world where the U.S. has to decide between backing Al Qaeda or the Islamic State, like in Syria.

Third-party candidates can no longer afford to run as mesagging arms of their nominating parties. Criticizing the stupidity of the major parties is great for a sound bite, but it will do nothing to win votes and create a perception as a viable alternative to those looking for answers and an inspiring vision. As a visionary leader once said,

Third-party candidates, and their parties, have been waiting for their moment in the arena. On September 28, 2016, President Barack Obama formally extended an invitation to the Libertarian Party and Governor Johnson.

Johnson is now the man in the arena.

His ability to undergo the vetting process, with higher standards than his major party opponents, will determine the growth of third parties. More importantly, should he successfully navigate the process, it will forever change the perception of third-parties in the American psyche from “cute also rans” into “viable third options“.

This is THE moment, it is a time for choosing for Gary Johnson and his supporters. Will Governor Johnson and his supporters play the game as it is? Or complain about double standards and unfair treatment?

It remains to be seen, but his supporters have been anxiously awaiting this moment, and their tireless efforts deserve to be rewarded. The standard is not perfection, it is at a bare minimum, the assumption by Johnson that he is going to win.

If Gary Johnson, and third-party candidates alike, shift their mindset from exposure to success, they will start EARNING votes, rather receiving them from loyal supporters and by those cast in protest to the status quo. Johnson’s struggles are not due to a lack of competence, but rather a lack of preparation.

When Gary starts operating as if Jan. 20, 2017 is his first day on the job, a time when his political capital will be the highest offering him his best chance at putting into plan the set of legislative and regulatory reforms he ran on, his gaffes and perception of disinterest in the rest of the world would go away.

The moment he behaves as the inevitable president-elect, is the same moment voters will begin believing he possesses the knowledge and experience necessary to be Commander-in-Chief.

In that moment he will earn votes when he announces a cabinet full of credible experts.

In that moment he will earn votes when he presents an extensive plan for leading the country and reforming government in a way that closely resembles his libertarian philosophy, which he successfully communicated to the very voters responsible for propelling him into office.

On September 28, 2016 a new era of American politics was created when the President of the status quo formally recognized the “potential” threat third parties and their candidates pose. The question that remains is will “potential threats” transition into results?

It remains to be seen, and it entirely hinges upon the transition from being the critic to being criticized.

So rather than criticizing the unfair standards of the status quo, it is time to stand in the arena and skillfully defeat the litany of critics awaiting Governor Johnson. He is the man in the arena, and as such, he should be expected to prepare in such a fashion. How high are the stakes?

It will determine whether he, and the party he was nominated by, rejoin the audience of critics, or are pointed to by historians as the man who overthrew the status quo and lead America into a new era.

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We Are Libertarians helps you sound smarter while talking to your friends. We examine current events from a libertarian perspective while treating modern politics with all of the irreverence it deserves. We toss out the screaming heads, put people before political parties, and give context to the news to make you think. Our host is Chris Spangle, a fifteen year veteran of politics and media. He leads a discussion amongst friends and high-profile guests that span the libertarian spectrum of thought. Founded in 2012, the podcast posts on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Podcast Reviews

Good Mix

August 20, 2018 by BigSkyCo from United States

Great mix politcs and humor. I love the cast of characters, even Vibbs.

Best Libertarian Podcast.

July 20, 2018 by Alistair K. Nye from United States

Without a doubt the best libertarian podcast out there. Deeply insightful, smart, funny as hell, and easy to understand even when they dive deep. They are neither left or right, libertarianism at it's best. It's 'üge.

Best intro to Libertarianism

April 7, 2018 by TILAME from United States

Highly recommend for independents and libertarian-curious. Casual dialouge, informed hosts, and great recent changes that focus more on current events than personal relationships. The host remains largley non-partisan, and critical of every party, including the Libertarian Party. The host has an engaging voice, and the episodes are long, so it is perfect for work or long drives.

Great Show

March 28, 2018 by Davistribe50 from United States

Easy to follow. They talk about things that matter to most people. A fresh look you won't get elsewhere.

If you feel orphaned by the two parties, welcome home.

November 27, 2017 by Rainbow Chardy from United States

I’ve never fit into the left or right, soon realized I was a Libertarian but still didn’t feel like I had resources or a community to tune into where ideas where treated in a way that RESONATED. Enter WAL. Such a great feeling to find others like myself. Only suggestion? I wish there was a woman—shoot I wish I *was* the woman! Let me know if I can contribute!—and sometimes it’s total boy nerddom...which is fine but I would totally dig a woman(s) interaction in the mix. You guys are great and don’t stop!

Best libertarian podcast

October 7, 2017 by BoomJake from United States

My favorite political podcast. Chris Spangle and his team have great chemistry and are well researched. I laugh and learn every episode.

Long time listener

July 9, 2017 by Chris JV Chris JV from United States

Rewriting this review because this show has been excellent lately.
Been listening for a while and you guys are doing a great job improving the quality of this show.
What differentiates it is that Chris is a left leaning libertarian, Greg is a right leaning libertarian and Harry is an anarchist. It's interesting having those three strands of the modern libertarian movement interact on current events. Cat is actually a decent addition.

Equally Political and Entertaining

July 1, 2017 by Really nice music from United States

One of my favorite political podcast. This show will go as deep as any other show you may listen to, but it's also one of the funnest shows out there. Greg is incredibly thorough in his research and him and Chris are a true dynamic duo.

Deplorable Cucks

June 28, 2017 by RazmanianDevil from United States

Okay the title seems negative, but these guys get that humor. This podcast has been a diamond in the rough for me. They're more professional and intelligent than you would think and just childish enough in their dialogue to hold my attention. My new favorite and they have 100% my support.

Love it.

June 24, 2017 by @troybotkins from United States

Love the show!

A breath of fresh air

June 7, 2017 by Kristi Liberty from United States

I've recently gone back and listened to the episodes from the beginning. A great show from Episode 1 to Episode 211. The hosts may change around a bit, but the show brings great Liberty oriented content on a consistant basis. I even <3 the opening banter!!!!

normie poison

June 6, 2017 by Millennail Liberty from United States

The only people who don't like WAL are statists, normies, and boomers.

Intellegent, Funny, and Wild

June 6, 2017 by Kyllat from United States

Love it. Yuge podcast network. They have the best words.

Listen to every episode

June 6, 2017 by cmurray1105 from United States

This is such a great podcast. Chris Spangle is the bees knees. I love the show!

Great show

May 11, 2017 by Bald Jordan from United States

Other phone crashed again. Idk what's going on with it. Where are you at?

Entertaining and informative

May 4, 2017 by Kent1423 from United States

We Are Libertarians provides an honest and unique perspective on modern political goings on. They present the side of the news that mainstream media ignores because they aren't beholden to any corporate overlords. It's informational, but also FUN! Too many libertarian podcasts forget the importance of having fun while presenting ideas.

Tad Western approves ??

April 21, 2017 by Tad Western from United States

WAL is the pinnacle of political podcasts!

Great show!

April 16, 2017 by jennbgray from United States

Libertarians can get pretty wonky sometimes, so it's great to have a more relatable alternative.

Thank you Dear Leader

March 30, 2017 by zwansong76 from United States

Entertaining and informative. Who but Spangle & Lenz could use the word praxeology in a conversation, and make it FUNNY? Good stuff.

Podcast? More like hot bodcast!!

March 25, 2017 by Cale Tompkins from Canada

Amirite?!? Not only are these men smart but they're in peak physical condition. I can hear their virility over the airwaves.

Good usually

March 20, 2017 by MrKrabbs1 from United States

If you can get beyond the self congratulatory circle jerk that occurs basically every episode, it can be pretty enjoyable. However, like all other libertarian podcasts, the hosts like to pay themselves on the back excessively and bask in their accomplishments--real or imagined.

Favorite libertarian podcast

March 10, 2017 by Extreme iOS user from United States

Lots of great guests. Worth a listen. A little light on philosophy, but it makes for that by being very entertaining.

Informing and Entertaining!

March 3, 2017 by 1233554367585$29 from United States

I love this podcast so much! The cast is pretty diverse (maybe get some more women), and they have a variety of different types of shows. Some are more informational about news from a libertarian perspective, and others are more emotional and talk about libertarian solutions to current government created problems. The cast is also pretty hilarious, which makes the longer podcasts very easy to listen to.

The most fun you will have listening to political banter!

January 30, 2017 by Ben DeJong from United States

If you are a libertarian minded or even lib curious, this is the podcast for you! I have listened to a dozen different libertarian podcasts and no one blends humor with topical political insight from a true libertarian point of view as perfectly as Greg and Chris. Keep up the great work guys!!!

This is by far my favorite podcast.

January 26, 2017 by Americamericafreedom1234usa from United States

So inviting. So intelligent. So funny. So crude. So philosophical. Wow.

Wish it was more than once a week

January 19, 2017 by Elvis236 from United States

I love this podcast. Superb libertarian talk and political/media criticism and commentary. I could listen to Chris and Greg for hours. Keep up the great work guys.

Amazing

January 2, 2017 by Davgr007 from United States

A great libertarian podcast!

Love y'all!

December 9, 2016 by Cynd1966 from United States

I recently discovered your podcast. I have known for years that I lean towards the Libertarian party. I first learned of the Libertarian movement from listening to Neal Boortz. And even today I still listen to him after his retirement. It is great to hear others who share some of the same opinions.

Worth Your Time

November 23, 2016 by Reasonable01 from United States

This is a really great way to ease into politics if you haven't really paid attention before. The hosts are funny and very well informed. Also, their unabashed criticism of both democrats and republicans makes the entire podcast seem a lot more honest.

Great Show

November 22, 2016 by DaneKirk from United States

One of my favorite podcasts. The analysis is right on and much better than the garbage you get from the MSM.

Very informative and eye opening.

September 9, 2016 by AndrewBowman91 from United States

As Chris says in the intro, they make sense of the world around us by thinking differently.
I highly encourage everyone to listen to their entire postcast family. You will not be dissapointed. By presenting topics in a way that brings several views to the table, Chris, Greg, and No Show Anagnos, and #NeverBitner + guests, provide real commentary. I always enjoy listening and appreciate the work the entire team puts forward to providing the content. Everyone who contributes has something meaningful to say and I have learned something new every episode.

Becca

August 2, 2016 by Beccakephart from United States

I think I finally realized why as a generally liberal democrat that I love this podcast so much. Chris and Greg (and others) have a special gift in that they are able to challenge my political conclusions without elliciting a defensive response. That's rare and appreciated. Keep up the good work.

Amazing

June 12, 2016 by MrNye from United States

A great look at both politics and principles. You'll laugh and learn, and what's better than walking away knowing more and having had a great time learning?

These guys are #SoBrave

April 24, 2016 by Clitcommader from United States

This podcast touches me where my feels are. It's like hanging out with some friends and discussing what's going on in the world, yet I'm just listening. I'm addicted, the first thing I do when I wake up is to see if there is a new episode to listen to. I can't believe how brave Belinda is....

Great!

April 6, 2016 by CD Kauai from United States

Love that they sometimes drink beer and eat pizza while discussing libertarian subjects and deal with the cats in the room!

Dank Memes

March 11, 2016 by Meech1889 from United States

Bro

Always a good time

March 6, 2016 by Flychiken from United States

One of the most funny and fun podcast to listen to, and they bring on interesting people from multiple viewpoints.

Best Libertarian Comedy Podcast!

February 3, 2016 by Ecc3_15 from United States

Very enjoyable and funny. This is probably my favorite podcast.

Wonderful podcast

January 22, 2016 by p_aaron_oid from United States

These guys are informative all while not taking themselves to seriously. Sometimes you start to believe you are in the apartment having a conversation with them.

Trust me. I´m listening for more than 2 years

January 19, 2016 by The Iluminado from United States

I´ve been following these guys since about the 20th episode. That was the golden time when their main mission was to teach us about some basics of the libertarian stuff and discuss some of the current political status. I´ve learned a lot. For the episodes 20-60 that format got its momentum with some hard and thrilling discussions, especially when Geena was on. Then we got a series of confusing programs when our Great Leader went missing, due some kind of menace from the Great White North. That where some hard times. Then Our Dear Leader came back with some new guidelines, bought some cats, lost weight, started working on the hours of a 18th century farmer.... The enlightenment came under new fatwas and here I am... I dear listener for more that 2 years and a true fan.

Great Pod

January 5, 2016 by VinnyAnders from United States

Chris and co are always informative and present their opinions from differing perspectives. Entertaining and fun!

Fan

December 30, 2015 by Rob Kendall from United States

This show is amazing! Very entertaining and a good listen.

The Only Politics Podcast

November 6, 2015 by The Only Politics Podcast from United States

My husband started listening to podcasts earlier this year, and of all the politics podcasts he listens to, this is the only one I will listen to with him. At first I thought it was weird, but now I get upset with him when he listens to them without me. I subscribed to the podcast just so I can listen to the ones he doesn't save for us to listen to together.

Excellent

October 19, 2015 by Simba. L13 from United States

Great discussion with a great group of differing opinions and personalities. They have given me a lot to think of and are a very fun listen.

Fresh and Hilarious Take on Politics & Current Events

June 4, 2015 by FlyinRyan7 from United States

If you’re looking for a podcast that mixes current events, politics, libertarianism, and humor, look no further. This podcast is dynamite and includes a crazy cast of hilarious participants that will leaving you intrigued, perplexed (...Miah...), fired-up, touched, laughing or some combination all led by Chris “Dear Leader/The House I Live In” Spangle.
Hands down this is my go-to pod cast and I’m pumped to see what these guys/gals do in the future.

Good Stuff

May 23, 2015 by DaveJones*** from United States

WAL is fun and informative. Highly recommended!

A great podcast!

May 18, 2015 by cxykttn6969 from United States

Dear Leader and his subordinates bring a delightful insight into the current happenings of our country! This podcast has a wide array of characters ranging from the slightly dopey (Greg Lenz) to the very exotic (Joe Ruiz ) and The powerful (Chris Spangle!)

Truly a great Political/Current Events Podcast

May 9, 2015 by Touch001 from United States

I can’t recommend this podcast enough, I’ve been listening for a couple years and its only gotten better, it is both entertaining, humorous, informing, and educational. It’s easy to listen to and you laugh and enjoy the time spent listening to it. Keep up the good work guys!

A Circle of Friends

April 30, 2015 by graphicahead from United States

For someone who is exposed to very few people who think deeply about the impact of philosophy and politics on their daily lives, WAL provides water in the oasis.
I discovered the show very early in my exploration of the libertarian worldview. Without this resource, I may not have felt as connected to the sometimes complex concepts one encounters in academic writings and the daily unfolding of current events.
A listener who wishes to hear a range of ideas for applying the philosophy of liberty, rather than being bombarded with singular and absolutist positions, WAL is the podcast for you.
The down to earth and unscripted discussion is authentic and genuine and makes you feel as though you are a participant amongst a circle of friends.

Open your Mind

April 29, 2015 by Sawzall582 from United States

Consider liberty and freedom with a cast of independant thinkers. Current event analysis and Libertarian philosphy are both explored. Give these freethinkers a chance. One feels like a part of the discussion as topics are explored.

Where Are You?

April 25, 2015 by hollenjj from United States

Guys, on episode 104 you did not close with the tag line. I know Greg was not on the show, but come on...ya gotta do it.
Great shows every episode and I love that you're back more frequently.
You guys rock, but on the tag line...next time... "Try to do better next time". ?

great

April 18, 2015 by you can call me papi from United States

at first i thought, great... another minarchist podcast but these guys really are great political new and commentary. good job, my only advice is easy on the rand paul jerk

So Good

April 14, 2015 by RedSoxFan207 from United States

I love listening to this podcast!
Informative, many points of views, and funny

Doesn't take itself too seriously

April 12, 2015 by Cdanl2 from United States

This is an entertaining discussion-format podcast discussing a variety of political issues - but unlike a bunch of other libertarian podcasts, it doesn't take itself too seriously, and entertains as much as it informs.

I started listening to WAL in Spring of '14. Since the political dicussion covers a variety of topics, it's important to find authors, audiobooks, and podcasts, that keeps you interested in the ideas surrounding the topics. The hosts do a great job of uniting politics and humor. They keep you laughing while maintaining a solemn temperament. They do a solid job in covering as many topics in each episode, so don't worry if you missed it; eventually, it will be discussed. A must have subscription for any person who wants to be involved in the discussion or just wants to know what's going on. Personally, I enjoy the foreign policy discussions the most.

Great Podcast from a liberty perspective

April 4, 2015 by Goulio05 from United States

These Guys are very informative and have good entertaining banter. They will also force you to examine your own perspective.

Converted!

April 4, 2015 by Kiltedman5332 from United States

After years of feeling disappointed with both democrats and republicans I have finally discovered why. I am a Libertarian! These podcasts are totally on point. Love listening. So proud to have gone to high school with these guys.

Great

April 4, 2015 by Eye_see from United Kingdom

Like a bunch of great friends selling you all things libertarian.

Wildly Sub-Par

April 3, 2015 by Mike Pence from United States

When I think of what I want to listen to while I choke the chicken, I come straight to this. The sound of their political ramblings really get me off.

Very honest varied perspectives

April 3, 2015 by Torchstone from United States

Not your normal crap.
A very good mix of opinion that shows that not only is everyone their own man (or woman, or man turned woman ;-) but libertarians themselves are a mixed bag as well.

Great Podcast

April 2, 2015 by PurplelyPurp from United States

Good podcast for new libertarians.

Political commentary that doesn't take itself seriously

April 2, 2015 by Jonnyprince from United States

This is very easy to digest commentary from a libertarians perspective. Excellent for those new to the Liberty movement or just curious to see what it's all about. It helps that it's pretty funny, too.

Great Show

April 2, 2015 by Akpalmer1979 from United States

Great show with insight you don't get from mainstream media.

I like it

February 26, 2015 by SkiBum 1978 from United States

This is a pretty good podcast for newbie Libertarians.

Great Podcast

February 7, 2015 by The LAVA Flow from United States

I listen to every single episode. Great podcast with a great cast of characters. Keep it up, guys!

Great podcast

September 20, 2014 by Goofy goner from United States

I love this podcast.

Best Libertarian Podcast

November 25, 2013 by PNWdankery from United States

This is easily one of my favorite podcasts week after week. I like how each person on the show brings their unique views to the show and they always cover excellent talking points. Very informative, and always get a few laughs.

Awesome

November 14, 2013 by Pug IBMC from United States

Great show. Knowledgeable fellas. Good time listening to the show.

Very Solid

November 3, 2013 by rcon14 from United States

Informative and exposed me to some topics I was initially unfamiliar or uninformed on. Love the interviews as well. Helps add current resolutions to the issues. Like the range of libertarian views, gives a wide perspective.

Mr.

September 10, 2013 by SandersTactical from United States

Awesome pod cast! Very intelligent, informed, and entertaining hosts! They offer opinions across the Libertarian spectrum providing a well rounded response to each issue presented. These guys and gals are a great resource for all Liberty loving individuals.

Great show!

September 10, 2013 by Brent J. from United States

I stumbled across this show a few weeks ago and find it very interesting.
Despite the Indiana-centric elements not being relevant to me as a Minnesotan, the show is great!
Episode 58, was very interesting and thought provoking!

A new addiction

August 15, 2013 by PaulVCope from United States

I look forward to this podcast more than anything else each week. If you want commentary on the latest happenings in the world, this podcast delivers without question. Even though they are all libertarians there is plenty of back and forth with very different views.

These guys get it.

August 3, 2013 by Brad@MyHeroesThink from United States

Its funny. Co-workers just think I'm listening to music all day. But instead, I'm immersed in a conversation between a gang of Libertarians. It's great, and it makes my day fly by. Smart people. Great flow. Its just what I was looking for...

WAL is the best

July 18, 2013 by sbarber12542 from United States

One of my favorite podcasts. the thing I like about it is that the host and co-hosts can have seriuos conversations about politics and then go off on a tangent that is absolutly hilariuos. The best episodes are the ones were you guys are unprepared and off the cuff. Chris Spangle is the best host and makes the podcast awesome. Any podcast with himk on it is awesome keep up the good work guys. Also if you could talk about some good books for the newly converted libertarian that would be great!

My favorite podcast and best source for libertarian talk

July 13, 2013 by Jluginbyhl from United States

I have listened to every show. They are all great. Sometimes they are very informative and other times very entertaining. It's a great cast. I look forward to every new show.

Awesome!

July 7, 2013 by AngrySoft from United States

Instead of wasting all their time talking about issues, they just come across as some average nerds talking to each other!

Great stuff!

May 15, 2013 by Rat Poux from United States

Love the discussions on current events and politics and happy to see a lively Libertarian podcast out there!
Keep the great work coming guys. =D

I find myself joining the debate alone in my car...

May 14, 2013 by dasher528 from United States

This podcast is the best libertarian podcast I have heard so far on iTunes! I have about an hour and a half commute to work everyday and this podcast makes the time fly by. It is so refreshing to hear other people openly discuss the Libertarian philosophy without being cut off by a talkshow host with an agenda to push. I cannot tell you how awesome it is to know that there are smart educated people in the world who share the same viewpoints as I do. The ONLY reason I did not give 5 stars is because new shows are not frequent enough :( Now I realize we all have day jobs but honestly, with Libertarianism becoming more mainstream and people looking for a voice like their own, I think it would be wise to prioritize this show to ensure there is at least one new show a week... and if you would like a female libertarian from Chicago to offer a different viewpoint, give me a call!!!

Intelligent Political Conversation

April 24, 2013 by Ryan Ripley from United States

This podcast produces excellent political content that makes you think. The co-hosts are all well spoken and very knowledgable about the Libertarian movement. The emotions run high at times, but that is a big part of the fun. Highly recommended!

Extremely Well Done

April 24, 2013 by Yellowperchman from United States

This is by far the best political podcast I have ever listened to. I sincerely hope this group of guys catch on like wildfire and eventually get their own nationally syndicated radio/tv show. They are that good. We need less progressive and neocon talking heads and more sensible/pragmatic people like them. I do must say, I miss Gault!!!! :-D

I love this podcast! It's funny yet informative. It has definitely been instrumental in my conversion away from rightwing conservatism. You will laugh at loud with the hosts as they mock and make fun of each other. Bring back Gault.

Great Podcast

March 12, 2013 by dbcva from United States

Like Lifesavers have peppermint, wintergreen, and traditional five flavors, this podcast represents all of the varied and tasty flavors of libertarianism.

Great Podcast

March 8, 2013 by mawest84 from United States

I've been searching for a Libertarian themed podcast for a while, and was mostly unsatisfied with what I'd listened to. That was until I found this one. The topics are always interesting and the conversations are smart. I've recommended the 'cast to most of my friends since I've started listening. Really appreciate what these guys are doing.

Scourge of the Earth

March 8, 2013 by Miah Akston from United States

I think its so so ... could be better ... nah just kidding ... I LOVE IT

One of my go-to podcasts

March 8, 2013 by annilita1 from United States

I always look forward to getting a new episode. Nice range of libertarian beliefs, well argued and researched.

Great podcast, 1 minuscule problem.

February 20, 2013 by DataMatr1x from United States

This is a great podcast for libertarian ideas. My ONLY complaint is the annoying new intro. I appreciate the attempt but... Not everyone is Weird Al.

Better than anything ever, ever

February 9, 2013 by MyOpinionIsUndeniable from United States

Best political podcast on the internet. Best political commentary there is...makes mainstream media look like children. 1,000,000,000 stars!! Listen to thsi podcast!!!! Ahhhh!!!!

Great show

February 6, 2013 by indytim33 from United States

Best. Libertarian podcast. Ever.

Thanks

October 13, 2012 by HoosierCountry from United States

Thanks to everyone for their kind reviews! - Spangle

Good 4 ppl new 2 politix

August 29, 2012 by KrypticKaos_ from United States

The guys are informative for people who may not be very familiar with politics and government. They're also funny, which makes it easy to listen to. If you're young you should try it out.

Finally

June 4, 2012 by Boolez from United States

A podcast who speaks for the average joe. Gary Johnson 2012! -Bz

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The Chris Spangle Show is a podcast about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Chris Spangle of We Are Libertarians brings listeners a daily dose of libertarian commentary on current events.

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